Hitching-post



(No Model.)v

B. G. KNAPP.

HITGHING POST. N0 399.904 Patented Mar. 19,- 1889.

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UNITED STATES aTnNT trice.

BYRON G. KNAPP, OF SANDY HILL, NE YORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 399,904, dated March 19, 1889.

Application filed January 2l, 1389. Serial No. 296,994. (No model.)

To all whom, 'it muy concern,.-

Be it known that I, BYRON G. KNAPP, acitizen of the United States, residing at Sandy Hill, in the county of NVashington and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hitching-Posts; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of hitching-posts in which the post is adapted to be elevated when in use and to be dropped down into a tubular sheath set in the ground when not in use.

The obj ect of my invention is to provide a locking-latch which will more effect-ually retain the post in elevated adjustment, a further object being' to tightly close the mouth of the sheath when the post is down and out of use; and with these ends in view my invention consists in the peculiar features and combination of parts more fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claim.

Referring' to the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a sectional elevation of my device, in Y which the movable post Vis shown raised as when in use; and Fig. 2, a similar view, in which the post is dropped down into the sheath when out of use.

The reference-letter a denotesV a tubular sheath sunk below the surface of the ground. This sheath is given a size sufficient to receive a vertically-movable post, b, which can be raised and lowered within it. The top of the sheath is provided with an annular flange or deflector, c, having upon its upper surface an annular bead, d, surrounding the orifice j' in the center of the deHector, through which the post passes and operates.

The post ZJ consists simply of a hollow metallic tube having upon its upper extremity the usual strap-ring g, which ring is surrounded by a convex cap b', the under side of which is provided with an annular recess of a size and shape adapted to receive the head d, in order that the cap may become closely seated upon the iiange or deflector The top of the post-cap is made convex, in order that its contour will coincide with the beveled edges of the dcflector, to form a conti nuous convex water-shed or delector when the post is down within its sheath and out of use, in which position it is shown in Fig. A gravitating latch, 7L, is pivoted within the tubular post and lies diagonally across the same, so that the opposite ends andy will project through the perforations lo and 1. This latch is pivoted just off the longitudinal center of the post, and the pivot l passes through the offset m, so that the latch, by reason of the gravity of its upper end, will drop Yinto locking adjustment when the post is elevated, as in Fig. l. In this position the .lower end, i', is shown engaging the annular bead d through the medium of the recess n, which receives the bead and forms a sure and positive lock. Vhen the post is in raised adj ustment, the upper edge, 0, of the lower p0rtion of the latch comes in contact with the top edge, p, of the lower .recess or perforation, 71:, in which position the recess 'a will come directly over and engage the bead cl. This operation is caused by hanging the latch off its center of gravity, so that the weightof its upper end will preponderate and keep its lower locking end constantly pressing outward. Therefore as soon as the post is raised to the limit of its upward movement and the lower end of the latch becomes freed from the sheath, against which it has been con` stantly pressing', it will :immediately spring out through the lower perforation and be in a position ready to engage the bead, and when this operation t takes place the upper end, ,7, will project through the upper perforation, 7u. In lowering the post, the operator raises it a little to lfree the lower end from the bead (l, and then pushes against the upper end, 7, which operation causes both ends to simultaneously retreat within the recesses of the post, and hence below the exterior surface thereof, to leave the post free to slide up and down within its sheath. It is readily seen that this arrangement possesses many advantages over posts of this kind formerly in use, because there are few parts to become worn and disordered and its operation is more sure and simple. Then the post is dropped down within its sheath, the cap upon its upper extremity tits snugly down upon the flange upon the sheath and forms a continuous convex outer surface and a tight joint,

IOO

which sheds Water and keeps dirt out of the sheath.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new7 and desire to secure by Let- The combination, in a l1itc'hingpost,of a tubular sheath adapted to be set in the ground, a flange or shed surrounding its upper extremity, an annular bead upon the npper surface of said flange, a tubular post arranged to slide vertically Within said sheath, said post having perforations in its opposite sides, a gravitating locking-latch pivoted off the longitudinal center of the post, said latch having a recess in its lower end, and a cap upon the top of the post, said cap being provided With an annular recess upon its under surface to receive the bead upon said ange, all arranged and adapted to operate in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

BYRON G. KNAPP vWitnesses:

P. F. LANGWORTHY, H. L. BRoUGHToN. 

